The Heiress's Wager Chapter 5

The room descended into chaos.

"What the f—"

"She actually did it—"

"A straight flush—"

"She never even looked at her cards!"

I stood up slowly.

My legs were steady.

My hands weren't shaking.

My heartbeat was strong and rhythmic.

I looked at Julian, staring at his face contorted in disbelief and terror.

"Seems luck is on my side."

My voice was calm.

Terrifyingly calm.

I walked up to him until we were eye-to-eye.

No more looking up.

No more begging.

No more loving.

"Julian Thorne, a deal is a deal."

I raised my hand, pointing out the porthole to the pitch-black, freezing Atlantic.

The moonlight glinted off the waves like millions of knives.

"You and her—" I looked at Sienna, who had collapsed in the corner, "Get off my yacht. Swim to shore."

"And as for our engagement—"

I slid the ring off my finger.

The 8-carat pink diamond.

I used to think it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

I used to stare at it daily, fantasizing about our wedding.

Now, it just made me sick.

I tossed the ring onto the poker table. It landed with a sharp clink.

"It's over."

"I don't want you, Julian Thorne."

"I'm done."

A kaleidoscope of emotions flashed across Julian’s face—shock, rage, denial, fear.

His fists clenched, veins bulging.

"You can't—you can't be serious—"

"The contract is binding," Leo said. He looked shocked too, but he did his duty. "You both signed. International waters. Witnesses."

"If you don't fulfill the terms, Seraphina can sue for breach of contract. With this many witnesses..."

He didn't finish, but the implication was clear.

Julian would be nailed to the cross of New York society’s judgment.

The Thorne heir who reneged on a bet.

A man without honor.

In our circle, that was worse than bankruptcy.

"Help! Someone help me!" Sienna suddenly screamed, trying to bolt for the door, but security blocked her path.

"She's crazy! She's going to kill us!"

"I didn't sign anything! I'm not part of this!"

I turned to her, my eyes freezing her in place. "You signed as a witness. The contract explicitly names 'Sienna Banks' as a party to Julian Thorne’s obligations."

"You were so eager to humiliate me. Now claim your prize."

Sienna slumped to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Julian finally snapped out of his trance.

He looked at me, and I saw something in his eyes I had never seen before.

Respect.

Fear.

And something else.

But it was too late.

"Seraphina..." His voice was hoarse. "You really... you really did it."

"Ten years. I waited for you for ten years," I said.

"I changed everything for you. I hid my true self. I made myself small. I made myself weak."

"Because you said you liked me sweet. You said you liked me submissive."

"Tonight, at our engagement party, you let her—" I pointed at Sienna, "humiliate me. You made me kiss another man. You sat there and watched."

"So yes, Julian. I really did it."

"And I’d do it again."

I turned to Leo. "Call the crew. Cut the engines."

"They need to jump."